The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 8 to 2 to release Matt Platkin’s nomination as New Jersey attorney general, ending months of delay after Democratic Sen. Dick Codey (D-Essex) invoked senatorial courtesy to block Gov. Phil Murphy’s nominee.
Platkin, who has been serving as acting attorney general for six months, weathered contentious questions from Republicans Monday. And he faced withering criticism from Republican Sen. Michael Doherty (R-Warren) over his lack of criminal law experience. Doherty also condemned Platkin’s advice as former chief counsel to Murphy, especially over Murphy’s controversial executive orders during the pandemic. Democrats praised Platkin’s dedication to fighting gun violence, combating police brutality and protecting the environment. Platkin’s nomination now heads to the full Senate.
